Life Lately

Hey All

I really feel like life is whizzing by at the moment. The past few weeks have felt like a bit of an exciting blur with loads on and the next few weeks feel like they could be the same. Two weeks ago I got my dude back from his latest work trip away which was just in time for my birthday so we headed down to the local street food place with some good friends including L (my housemate has pictures of me opening my presents from L which I need to get off of her so I can share them as L did good on my birthday presents this year!).

I love Depot and going with L is great as we like to share food so it means we get to try loads. I'd recommend heading down if you're local to Cardiff as it's still on through August so there is still time and the have one of our favourite places Science Cream (review here!) and as it's the Summer they have an awesome outside area with converted cars etc to sit in!

I spent my actual birthday with my family and OH. They came down to visit and bought my nieces so we ended up just eating out and exploring Cardiff. We had planned to go to the international pool and go on all the slides but we ended up not having time!

I've been spending lots lately. I really should put a haul together. When hunting for the perfect nude shoe I came across these beauties from Miss KG and couldn't resist!! They were half price and just to pretty not to order. I ordered from Very and couldn't believe how quickly they arrived!

I also finally got my first tattoo and I am totally in love with it. I can feel it becoming an addiction where I just want more. Also I got to properly bake again which I haven't for a while and made macaroons (my new favourite!) and my niece a rainbow sprinkles cake!

As well as all that there has been graduations (OHs brothers), weddings and overnight stays in Brighton and Bristol. Somehow most of this has all happened over the past two weeks!

The weekends just aren't long enough! Have you been on any trips yet?

Love M

xxx

Beauty Rehab

Hello there!

Before moving house I worked my butt off to work my way through any last products that I could get through before packing up. I think I did pretty well but my stash still seemed to overwhelm every other type of stuff I had! Ah well - it was always going to be a large part of my life wasn't it?!

Dove Summer Glow Lotion - This is always my favourite tanning moisturiser, doesn't smell half as bad as some of the others I've tried and is a good colour
Garnier Micellar Water - This was great, I would definitely repurchase as it was a good price too. Took off my mascara easily and didn't leave an oily residue
Label M Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner - this worked great for thickening hair but it did feel dry afterwards, great for a Saturday night but not regular use

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish - Still like this, it melts onto skin and removes make up. It's quite expensive though so will be holding off for a bit
Nip and Fab Glycolic Serum - I really liked this but it took me four different bottles to get one that worked....and a small bottle at that. Maybe I'd repurchase on a deal
Nip and Fab Dragon's Blood Serum - Loved this, this was my second bottle and I'd repurchase again, sinks in great and is a full 50ml
Origins Checks and Balances - Always my fave face wash, need to use my one sparingly until I can buy another!
Nip and Fab Glycolic Face Pads - Expensive for what it is but I do think these helped clear my skin. Possibly I would repurchase on a 3 for 2 deal 

Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo  and 3 Minute Miracle - always my favourite hair products as they are so cheap but work so well with my hair
Nip and Fab Energy Boost Body Wash - wouldn't repurchase, average shower gel for an inflated price
Garnier Ambre Solaire Tanning Mist - Another favourite, the best tanning mist for face and hands for me, so easy to use

Herbal Essences Dry Shampoo - awful dry shampoo, acted more like hair spray, amazing scent though so I was disappointed with this

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation - love this, need to repurchase asap!
Lush Yummy Mummy Shower Gel - great smell, lovely product, would repurchase
Good Things Deep Pore Anti Blemish Lotion - Great product for bad skin days and useful as a double cleanse, I'd repurchase when I break out next
Smashbox Photo Finish Blemish Control Primer - can't comment on the blemish factor of this but the primer was great, and NEVER gave me the rolling bits that others do, big fan of the texture of this

Stay Matte Pressed Powder - Best powder for the best price, have 2 as back up!
Algenist Eye Renewal Balm - this was pretty good even for my sensitive eyes, loved the balm texture
Origins Ginzing Moisturiser - loved this, never been disappointed with a Origins product, need to repurchase!
Mac Mascara - this was average, I'd prefer Rimmel for a much cheaper price

Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara - possibly the most disappointing mascara from Rimmel but it's possible that it was due to it drying out and going clumpy
Eve Lom Eye Cream - very thick and luxurious, not in my price range unfortunately!
Kiehls Rosa Arctica Lightweight Cream - this was lovely and indeed lightweight, I'd consider buying
Lush Full of Grace Serum - love this and my skin feels so much more hydrated

No7 Eye Make Up Remover - Great when getting the No7 vouchers, very useful product
Una Brennan Superfacialist Oil - really liked this to remove the first layer of make up in a double cleanse, it all seemed to melt off
Garnier Ambre solaire Tanning Mist - see picture above
Dr Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Eye Serum - really like this product and it sinks in lovely, Dr Organic are a great brand
Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate - a great oil, I'd love to try this out full size as the tester only allowed 3 nights worth. I think it would be worth the money

Nip and Fab Dragon's Blood Cleansing Pads - not sure about these, I did like the extra hydration but not sure if they were worth the money
Good Things Manuka Honey Cleanser - another great product from Good Things, they are definitely my go to high street brand and I will be back for more
Batiste Brunette Dry Shampoo - super impressed with this product, SAVES MY LIFE during the week. Batiste is the best!
Toni and Guy Glamour Hairspray - perfect handbag sized spray and works great to hold hair in place



What do you think of my empties this time? I worked so hard! The last few images are taken on my desk on moving day so apologies for the poor quality, everything was so last minute

Have you been using up products recently? What have been your favourites?


L xxx

Nailbox June 2015*

Hey All

Beauty boxes are a saturated market now but I still love the odd one. There is starting to be a change in the market with more variety from health snack boxes to specific boxes. Nailbox is a subscription service that offers flexible subscriptions. You can order one off boxes for £15 or pay for 3,6 and 12 month subscriptions which saves some money.

L and I are both big nail fans and love painting our nails so a nail specific box was going to be something we loved. Each box contains 3-4 polishes and a nail tool or treatment. I do like that it's not just all polish.

We were kindly sent the June box to try out and review. As I've got a ridicuoulsy large nail collection atm and I'm trying to grow my nails and not paint them too much L tested out all the colours. I couldn't resist snapping up the seche vite (£9) though as it's my favourite top coat. Nothing beats it in my opinion. You can reads my original review here.

The thing that immediately stood out to us in the box were the great brand names and the wearable colours. The Nails Inc Gel Polish in Colville Mews L put on straight away as she had a wedding to go to. Nude nails go with everything and leave a look polished and classy. L loved how smoothly it applied and the gel effect left a great glossy finish. This nail polish alone is worth the price of the box as it retails for £15.

The elegant touch cuticle nipper is worth £12.50. I think cuticles are usually something people neglect to clip. I find my cuticles need clipping every few weeks. Tools like this make it so much easier. I can't get on with scissors but this is sharp and allows precision without cutting more than is needed.

The second colour L tested out was the Tanya Burr Polish in Mischief Managed £5.99. We'd both heard a lot about these but this was one L didn't get on with. It wasn't the easiest to apply, had a thin formulation and took too long to dry. 

The final colour was Essie Roarrrrange £7.99. Essie is a brand we both love and you'll find lots of NOTDs of. They have a great colour range, great formula and a reasonable price. Roarrrange didn't disapoint with that. It's a perfect summer colour and one L will be getting lots of use from!

Overall we are both really impressed with this box. It's great value (worth over £50)  and comes with good brand names. Previous boxes have included china glaze (another favourite brand of L and I) and opi!

What's your thoughts on a nail only subscription box? I'll be treating myself to more of these! I do love that from what I've seen the colours in the boxes also reflect the season not just a random selection. It really feels like thought goes into the box. 

Love L and M

xxx

Mac Viva Glam V

Hey All

Sorry for the lack of posts from me last week. It was my birthday on the weekend and I hadn't got around to writing any as I'd been with the family and then left for a few days away with the OH and his family to celebrate his brother's graduation.

When my family were down to celebrate my birthday my brother's wife wanted to take the opportunity to visit a Mac counter. I didn't plan on buying anything as I was holding out to buy the Cool Neutral palette but was waiting for a decent beauty care offer (which there is now by the way £10 worth of points if you spend £50!) but at the counter I spotted the viva glam lipsticks and was drawn to this neutral shade. First of apologies as I've not got any swatches on the lips but the day after I bought it coldsores have taken over.

The Mac Viva Glam range comes in the normal box but the lipsticks instead of silver around the bullet and holding the lipstick it's red. I quite like this as it's the only Viva Glam one I have it'll be easy to spot in my collection. If you weren't aware Mac donate the full price of the lipstick minus VAT to charity for the Viva Glam range so you can buy a lipstick and feel like you're helping people. L has the Viva Glam Nicki Minaj which you can see here.

Mac Viva Glam V Swatch

Mac describes it as a neutral pink. I'd say it's a touch more neutral brown. I think this is the first lustre finish in my collection but I'm actually a fan. In the neutral shades it gives the lips a healthy shine of colour.

With coldsores all finally healed I can add some pictures! I've really been reaching for this lipstick lately. I love it for everyday and find my lips look plumped with it on.

Have you tried the Viva Glam range? What's your favourite Mac lipstick? 

Love M xxx